The event was organized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs in cooperation with UNESCO, UNICEF and UNDP within the preparatory process for the ministerial meeting of the ECOSOC 2013. The main purpose of the youth forum is providing young people with an international platform for the interactive dialogue on the identification of new ideas in the field of sustainable development and achievement of MDGs based on the potential of cultural exchange, science and technology.

In his opening statement, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon encouraged participants to be “global citizens” and to help the Organizations rise to the challenges such as insecurity, climate change and unemployment by finding their own mission in life.

“Be part of creating a new vision. It is not only about telling us what kind of world you want. It is about partnering with us to realize a better future,” he told participants at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum in New York.

The forum’s theme focuses on leveraging science, technology, innovation and culture to improve societies. Participants are ‘tomorrow’s innovators’, including youth representatives from Member States, students and young entrepreneurs with science and technology backgrounds and youth-led non-governmental organizations.

Mr. Ban noted that working with youth is one of his top priorities because “young leaders have the energy and ideas we need to change our world.”

At the event, information about youth projects and initiatives of Fund Forum was presented. In particular, information of youth contest Kelajak Ovozi, Center for youth initiatives “Kelajak Ovozi”, School for young businesspersons, Center for assisting to youth employment, programme of educational grants, etc.

Brochures and journals about Fund Forum, Center for youth initiatives “Kelajak Ovozi”, Kelajak Tour youth tourism bureau, and other documents were shared among participants of the forum.